Tag Archives: Shaheen

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab Makes Landfall in Oman

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab made landfall on the north coast of Oman on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab was located at latitude 23.6°N and longitude 57.1°E which put it about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Al Suwaiq, Oman. Shaheen/Gulab was moving toward the west-southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab made landfall on the north coast of Oman near Al Suwaiq on Sunday. Shaheen-Gulab was the equivalent of a strong tropical storm at the time of landfall. It was producing gusty winds and dropping heavy rain on parts of the northern coast of Oman. There were already reports of flash flooding causing casualties and damage in northern Oman. Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation. The was a ring of thunderstorms around the center and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab will move south of a high pressure system over Southwest Asia. The high will steer Shaheen/Gulab toward the west-southwest during the next 36 hours. Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab will weaken steadily as it moves over mountains in northern Oman. Shaheen/Gulab will continue to drop locally heavy rain over the normally dry region during the next day or so and more flash floods are likely to occur.

It is very rare for a tropical cyclone to thread the needle and move so far to the west over the Gulf of Oman. The small size of Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab allowed much of its circulation to remain over the warm water in the Gulf of Oman. Drier air over Iran and the Arabian Peninsula was confined to the periphery of the circulation. The inner core of Shaheen/Gulab remained intact. Tropical Cyclone Shaheen was even more unusual because it started as Tropical Cyclone Gulab over the Bay of Bengal.

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab Moves West over Gulf of Oman

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab moved west over the Gulf of Oman on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab was located at latitude 24.3°N and longitude 59.0°E which put it about 70 miles (110 km) north-northeast of Muscat, Oman. Shaheen/Gulab was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab was over the Gulf of Oman on Saturday night. Winds blowing around the southwestern part of Shaheen/Gulab appeared to be pulling drier air over Oman into the southern and eastern part of the tropical cyclone. A small eye was present at the center of circulation. The was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms, but there was a break in the southeastern part of the ring of storms. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in a band on the western side of Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab. Bands in the southern and eastern parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The circulation around Shaheen/Gulab was small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Shaheen/Gulab will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over Southwest Asia. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, dry air from Oman could continue to limit the development of thunderstorms in the southern and eastern parts of Shaheen/Gulab. Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab could strengthen during the next 12 hours. If more drier air reaches the core of Shaheen/Gulab, the remainder of the eyewall could weaken. That would reduce the maximum sustained wind speed.

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over Southwest Asia. The high will steer Shaheen/Gulab toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Gulab could approach the coast of Oman near Sohar in 18 hours. Shaheen/Gulab will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the part of Oman around Sohar. Heavy rain could cause flash floods. Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab will weaken quickly when it moves inland.

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab Strengthens to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the Arabian Sea on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab was located at latitude 24.0°N and longitude 62.1°E which put it about 240 miles (390 km) east of Muscat, Oman. Shaheen/Gulab was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

The India Meteorological Department renamed Tropical Cyclone Gulab as Tropical Cyclone Shaheen when it re-intensified over the Arabian Sea. Shaheen/Gulab intensified to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon east of Oman on Friday night. An eye formed at the center of Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Outside the core of Shaheen/Gulab the strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of the tropical cyclone. Bands in the northern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Shaheen/Gulab will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over Southwest Asia and the northern Arabian Sea. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab could intensify during the next 12 hours. Dry air from Southwest Asia could limit the development of thunderstorms in the northern half of Shaheen/Gulab. If the drier air reaches the core of Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab, it could weaken during the weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over Southwest Asia. The high will steer Shaheen/Gulab toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Gulab could approach the coast of Oman west of Muscat in 36 hours.